One Day

1 Peter 4:5 But they will have to face God to explain what they have done. He is the one who will soon judge everyone—those who are still living and those who have died.

Imagine there’s no heaven, it’s easy if you try, go the lyrics of that John Lennon song. Oh, and how easy it is to live our lives today as though there is no eternity, as though there are no consequences. The problem with that though, is that it’s simply not true.

One day, you and I will breathe our last breath on this earth. It’s just the way it is. One day, this life on planet Earth will be over for you and me. And like it or not, on that day we each will have to give an account of our lives to God. Call it the day of reckoning, if you will.

1 Peter 4:5 But they will have to face God to explain what they have done. He is the one who will soon judge everyone—those who are still living and those who have died.

As I look back over my life, there are so many mistakes, so many things that I’ve done wrong, so many times when I’ve rejected God and gone my own way, so many times when I’ve hurt other people.

And on that day, when I meet Him face to face, I will have to give an account for my actions to the God who created me, as will you.

So when you stand before Him, and all those transgressions are read out in judgement, what will you say? As you think about that, let me share with you my defence:

Lord God, I’m simply not worthy to spend the rest of eternity with you. What I deserve is eternal punishment. Hell. But … I believe that that’s why Jesus died for me, to take that punishment upon Himself so that I could have eternal life with you.

That’s what I’m going to say. That’s all that I’ll need to say. What are you going to say?

That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

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Janet Botros

Dear Friend in Christ, Thanks for your thoughts on the outcome for believers on Judgement Day. The Scriptures have much ...

Dear Friend in Christ,

Thanks for your thoughts on the outcome for believers on Judgement Day.

The Scriptures have much to say on this subject, being such an important issue for humanity. Consider just four key passages:

2 Corinthians 5:10
For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

1 John 2:1, 2
But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not only for ours but for the whole world.

1 Corinthians 3:15
If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

Revelation 20:15
Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.

The Bible is quite clear that we shall all stand before the judgement seat of Christ on Judgement Day. Our lives will be laid open for all to see and it will be patently clear that nobody is worthy to enter into God’s kingdom on his or her own merits – all are sinners and have fallen short of God’s glory. So, all would be lost for us unless someone would step up and pay the penalty for us, i.e. to draw us back from the precipice. Mercifully, this is precisely what is promised for believers in Jesus Christ. He will be our mighty defender on that day and charges will be dismissed. This is because He has carried all our sins on His shoulders when He was crucified. Even though our best endeavours will be cast into the flames, we shall escape by His grace alone. Only believers will have their names recorded in the Book of Life. So, yes, Christ’s followers will pass through the judgement, but must experience the humiliation of the courtroom drama before they are acquitted.

If God were to ask us on that terrible day why He should allow us to enter His eternal kingdom, there is really only one thing we can say – “Because Christ died for my sins.” All other responses fail. As a result, as far as the east is from the west, so shall our sins be cast away, never to re-appear.
We know from the Bible that there is no such hope for those who do not know Jesus. This should surely galvanize us into action to warn non-believers about their destiny and to share with them the love of Christ. The time is short so there’s not a moment to lose. May the Lord bless you as you serve Him faithfully!

Your brother in Christ,

Marcia Early

I am not sure I am understanding what you are saying. I do understand the Bible verse. You have indicated that ...